The Biomedical Basis of Holistic Acupuncture

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Abstract
In trying to find ways to unite or just bring closer the mysterious transformational techniques of the East to the reductionism theories of the West, our Western medical science has tried to organize a logical explanation of how the insertion of tiny acupuncture needles can reduce and even dissolve pain in the human form.This research takes a look at the different approaches the Biosciences have attempted in explaining the way holistic acupuncture works in healing. This research will take a look at the biochemical, biomechanical, as well as bio-electromagnetic theories that have been developed in trying to explain the healing aspects of the Ancient Art of Acupuncture.

Keywords
Acupuncture, Biomechanical, Biochemical, Electromagnetic, Biosciences, Healing, Meridians, Channels, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Analgesic, Connective Tissue, Cellular Biology, Health, Eastern, Western, Medical, Paradigm, Physiology, Physics.

The Ancient Art of Acupuncture is the needling of specific points along "meridians" or channels that run throughout our body. Acupuncture can be traced back as far as the Stone Age in China, when stone knives and pointed rocks were used to relieve pain and diseases. "These instruments were known by the ancients as "bian" In the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD) an Analytical Dictionary of Characters "Shuo Wen Jie Zi" describes the character "bian" as meaning a stone to treat disease."(1) Later these stones were replaced by needles made of bamboo and slivers of animal bone, then finally in the Shang Dynasty bronze casting techniques made metal needles possible, which conducted electricity and Qi. This led to the mapping of the meridian system or channels of energy within the body.

Acupuncture remained relatively unheard of until 1974 when James Reston, a reporter for the New York Times accompanied President Nixon on a trip to China where they witnessed an appendectomy and several demonstrations of serious surgeries being performed with acupuncture as the only anesthetic using Acupuncture Anesthesia. Despite many efforts to prove it's efficiency, Western science has never been able to reconcile how Acupuncture works. They can prove "that" it works, but not "how" it works.

Biochemical theories
Most of the scientific studies of acupuncture have been centered on the analgesic aspects of pain relief. Acupuncture is definitely effective in treating pain; it works 70% to 80% of the time, far greater than the placebo, which only has about 30% efficiency. (2) The problem with attributing all of acupuncture's effects to the placebo effect, which is based on a "suggestive way" or the fact that one just wants to believe that it works, was the fact that veterinarians in China have used acupuncture successfully to treat animals. (3)

Dr. Bruce Promeranz, working at the University of Toronto, was very involved in research done on acupuncture analgesia. By activating small myelinated nerve fibers, acupuncture applications send impulses to the spinal chord, midbrain and pituitary-hypothalamus in the diencephelon. (4) Neurological research done in the late 70's discovered the naturally occurring chemicals in the body known as endorphins. (5) By binding to the opiate receptors that are found throughout the nervous system, endorphins are able to stop pain. The hypothalamus-pituitary releases Beta-endorphins into the blood and cerebral spinal fluid to create an analgesic effect by causing incoming pain signals from reaching the brain. Pomeranz discovered that pre-treating rats with a drug called Naloxone, a drug known to block the healing endorphins, could not achieve acupuncture pain relief. This finding suggested that endorphin release caused by acupuncture stimulus was an important mechanism behind acupuncture's pain relieving effects.

Pomeranz was then interested in the effects of electrical stimulation and manipulation of acupuncture needles. What he also discovered was the difference between high frequency, low intensity vs. low frequency, high intensity application.

The low frequency, high intensity produced an analgesic effect which was slower at the onset but longer in duration and also having cumulative effects. Therefore, repeated treatments produce more and more benefits for the patient.

The high frequency, low intensity produced a very rapid analgesic effect, which is great for acute pain but shorter in duration with no cumulative effects. (6)

There are presently 100 different neurotransmitters and neuroendocrine substances in the body, of which the endorphins constitute only one class. (7) Hence, there is much work to be done in testing and researching these chemicals and their possible effects with acupuncture.

Biomechanical theories
The biomechanical questions had to do with the presents of meridians in the body. These are the channels in the body, which are filled with our life force, energy � Qi. The meridians are said to circulate Qi throughout the system of the body. In an attempt to locate the meridians anatomically, two French Drs. Claude Darras and Pierre De Vernejoul injected human studies with radioactive isotopes into acupuncture points. A solution of an ionic salt of technetium was injected and followed over a period of time with a gamma ray camera. The radioactive technetium followed the exact same pathways of the meridian channels described and illustrated in several hundred-year-old acupuncture charts of the human body! (8) To ensure that the Drs. were measuring meridians and not blood vessels or lymphatic channels, some patients received technetium injections adjacent to non-acupoint skin regions as well as in nearby blood and lymphatic channels. The radioactive tracers tended to diffuse outward from the injection site into a typical small circular pattern. (9)

In 1975, Dr. Liu YK researched the location of acupoints present at sites of motor nerves. His work realized that acupoints correspond to regions where motor nerves enter skeletal muscle and where there is a great density of motor nerve terminal elements at the surface. As well, there was found to be dense clusters of encapsulated autonomic nerve mechanoreceptor sites at these points. (10) Further research was done on Dr. Liu's work. Dr. Watari published a report in Beijing, China in November 1987, based on his work. He found that histologically, volume density of corresponding acupoints to blood vessels are elevated fourfold and that of nerves 1.4 times over that of surrounding tissues. These vessels and fibers mingle to form glomerular structures. (11)

This was exciting new biomechanical evidence in both identifying the meridian channels in the human body and the fact that the acupuncture points on the body have corresponding volume densities that increase with stimulation.

Bio-electromagnetic theories
Science has long been aware of an electrical phenomenon called the "Current of Injury".This happens when tissue in the body undergoes trauma or microscopic damage to an area of skin. When skin cells are pierced, as with an acupuncture needle, they start leaking electrically charged ions into the surrounding areas of tissue. A weak electrical battery-like charge is created. This electric current is called the current of injury, which is know to stimulate a healing response from the nearby cells. This does not explain how stimulating acupoints with low level, non-invasive lasers could achieve the same therapeutic effects. (12)

The electrical conductivity of acupoints has been known for several decades thanks to the work of Nakatani in the 1950s and by Dr. Robert Becker in the 1970s. Becker's work on the Large Intestine and the Pericardium meridians found that the points along these channels showed significantly more electrical conductivity than areas of skin with non-acupoints.

In 1986 German scientist Fritz-Albert Popp and Chinese biologist, Chang-Lin Zhang developed a model they called the "Standing Wave Superposition Hypothesis". This research attempts to accommodate the holographic nature of acupuncture such as the homunculus or miniature representation of the whole body represented in the ears and the feet. The theory also strives to explain the anomalous skin resistance properties of acupuncture points as well as the apparent interconnectivity between them. (13)

In the Zhang-Popp model, it is shown that the body is composed of sodium, potassium and other electrically charged inorganic ions such as proteins and DNA which when accelerated will emit EM radiation in accordance with conventional physical theory. With these many types of charges oscillating in the body, an interference pattern is produced formed by the various waves of various wavelengths.

The highest combination of wave amplitudes forms the acupuncture points and meridians by means of constructive interference. At these points the skin is at the highest in electrical conductivity. This conductivity depends on the internal electrical field, which is determined by the interference pattern from the superposition of the numerous waves. (14) Hence, the standing wave pattern of a sick person would have a varied pattern from that of a healthier person. The treatment of acupuncture with needles in the acupoints would cause a disturbance in the standard wave pattern caused by new boundaries formed by the needle. The needle activates the current of injury response resulting in a change in the EM field, producing changes in the biological response, which may promote healing. It is this theory, which implicates the EM fields of the entire body.


The principle of the Connective Tissue Continuum is another approach at viewing the correlation of acupuncture to the bio-electromagnetic theory. From a cellular level through to the bodies' connective tissue, these living organisms are considered a continuum. Not only is the entire cell now known to be mechanically and electrically interconnected in a "solid state" (15), but, all the cells in the body are in turn interconnected to one another via the connective tissues (16).

The function of connective tissues is to keep the body organized, acting as a lace work between the major organs and tissues, to strengthen the wall of arteries, veins, intestines and pathways and to provide fascia and the skeletal structure attachment to the muscles. It is believed that connective tissues may be largely responsible for the rapid intercommunication that enables our body to function effectively as a coherent whole, and is therefore central to our health and well-being. Recent studies with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance has shown that the muscles in living human subjects provide evidence of a "liquid-crystalline-like" structure (17). Liquid crystals usually undergo rapid changes in phases or transitions when exposed to electromagnetic fields. Liquid crystals will also respond to changes in temperature, hydration, pressure and shear forces. Biological liquid crystals carry static electric charges and are influenced by pH, salt concentration and dielectric constant of the solvent.

There are many types of liquid crystals, from those which are most liquid, to those which are most solid. Those that are most liquid can flow as water does, and even though all molecules tend to be aligned in one direction, individual molecules can move very freely and change places with each other while maintaining their common orientation. The ones that resemble solid crystal will have order and will remain flexible and responsive. It is already widely recognized that all the major constituents of living organisms may be liquid crystal such as lipids of cellular membranes, DNA, possibly all proteins, especially cytoskeletal proteins, muscle proteins, and proteins in the connective tissues such as collagens and proteoglycans (18). It is through this "liquid network" that scientist believe an acupuncture response is solicited.

In conclusion
By looking at the Bioscience attempts in explaining the way holistic acupuncture works in healing, we are introduced to some very notable concepts. Observing the biochemical view, we see, by Pomeranz research, that the hypothalamus-pituitary releases Beta-endorphins into the blood and cerebral spinal fluid to create an analgesic effect by causing incoming pain signals from reaching the brain. The low frequency, high intensity produced an analgesic effect which was slower at the onset but longer in duration and also having cumulative effects. Therefore, repeated treatments produce more and more benefits for the patient. The high frequency, low intensity produced a very rapid analgesic effect, great for acute pain but, shorter in duration with no cumulative effects.

Biomechanically, Drs. Claude Darras and Pierre De Vernejoul injected human studies with radioactive isotopes into acupuncture points. A solution of an ionic salt of technetium was injected and followed over a period of time with a gamma ray camera. The radioactive technetium followed the exact same pathways of the meridian channels described and charted in several hundred-year-old acupuncture charts of the human body! Dr. Liu YK researched the location of acupoints present at sites of motor nerves. His work realized that acupoints correspond to regions where motor nerves enter skeletal muscle and where there is a great density of motor nerve terminal elements at the surface.

Bio-electromagnetic theories are based on the Current Of Injury, which is know to stimulate a healing response from the nearby cells. The electrical conductivity of acupoints researched by Nakatani in the 1950s and by Dr. Robert Becker in the 1970s found that the points along the channels showed significantly more electrical conductivity than areas of skin with non-acupoints.

The Zhang-Popp model, shows us that the body is composed of sodium, potassium and other electrically charged inorganic ions such as proteins and DNA which when accelerated will emit EM radiation in accordance with conventional physical theory. The acupuncture needle activates the current of injury response resulting in a change in the EM field, producing changes in the biological response.

The Connective Tissue Continuum embraces the concept that the cytoskeletal structure of each individual cell in the body is a homunculus of the connective tissue in which it creates. Magnetic Resonance has shown that the muscles in living human subjects provide evidence of a "liquid-crystalline-like" structure. Liquid crystals usually undergo rapid changes in phases or transitions when exposed to electromagnetic fields. It is through this "liquid network" that scientist believe an electromagnetic response from acupuncture is solicited. This research represents much of the current biological views on how acupuncture heals and tries to explain the Biomedical Basis of Holistic Acupuncture.

References

1. Sources of Chinese Tradition �Vol. 1 WM Theodore DeBary,
Irene Bloom Columbia University Press NY, NY 1999
2. Scientific Basis of Acupuncture � B. Pomeranz Acupuncture
textbook and Atlas, NY, NY 1987
3. Vibrational Medicine for the 21 Century- Richard Gerber M.D.
Eagle Brook, NY, NY 2000 � "Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine"
4. "Can Western Science Provide A Foundation For Acupuncture"-
Beverly Rubik, PhD. Alternative Therapies Magazine September 1995,
Vol. 1 Number 4
5. Vibrational Medicine for the 21 Century- Richard Gerber M.D.
Eagle Brook, NY, NY 2000 � "Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine"
6. Scientific Basis of Acupuncture � B. Pomeranz Acupuncture
textbook and Atlas, NY, NY 1987
7. "Can Western Science Provide A Foundation For Acupuncture"-
Beverly Rubik, PhD. Alternative Therapies Magazine September 1995,
Vol. 1 Number 4
8. Vibrational Medicine for the 21 Century- Richard Gerber M.D.
Eagle Brook, NY, NY 2000 � "Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine"
9. Vibrational Medicine for the 21 Century- Richard Gerber M.D.
Eagle Brook, NY, NY 2000 � "Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine"
10. "Can Western Science Provide A Foundation For Acupuncture"-
Beverly Rubik, PhD. Alternative Therapies Magazine September 1995,
Vol. 1 Number 4
11. "Can Western Science Provide A Foundation For Acupuncture"-
Beverly Rubik, PhD. Alternative Therapies Magazine September 1995,
Vol. 1 Number 4
12. Vibrational Medicine for the 21 Century- Richard Gerber M.D.
Eagle Brook, NY, NY 2000 � "Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine"
13. "Can Western Science Provide A Foundation For Acupuncture"-
Beverly Rubik, PhD. Alternative Therapies Magazine September 1995,
Vol. 1 Number 4
14. "Can Western Science Provide A Foundation For Acupuncture"-
Beverly Rubik, PhD. Alternative Therapies Magazine September 1995,
Vol. 1 Number 4
15. Clegg J.S. and Drost-Hansen W. On the biochemistry and cell
physiologyof water. In: Hochachka and Mommsen (eds.). Biochemistry
and molecular biologyof fishes. Elsevier Science Publ. vol.1, Ch.1,
pp.1-23, 1991
16. Oschman, James L. (Oct. 1996-Jan. 1998) What is 'Healing
Energy'?The Scientific Basis of Energy Medicine. J of Bodywork and
Moveme nt Therapies.(Series of articles.) Part 1-6. Kreisand
Boesch, 1994
17. Giraud-Guille, M.M. (1988) "Twisted plywoodarchitecture
of collagen fibrils in human compact bone osteons",
Calcif.Tissue Int., 42:167-180.
18. Knight,D. and Feng, D. (1993). Collagens as liquid crystals,
British Association for the Advancement of Science, Chemistry
Session: Molecular Self-Assembly in Science and Life, Sept. 1, Keele.

Acupuncture: Pre and Post Surgery

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Acupuncture is very beneficial when it comes to pre and post surgery. No matter what the surgery is, the body perceives this as truama to the body. In turn, this trauma takes it's toll on the body in the way of stress. This stress caused by the surgery weakens the immune system, disruputes the gastrointestinal tract and leaves the body more vulnerable to infection.

Scientific evidence has shown that acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system, which is our brain and spinal chord. Acupuncture points are strategic conductors of electromagnetic signals. When these points are stimulated, they release endorphins, our natural pain killers in the body. Acupuncture has been shown to change our brain chemistry related to sensation, innvoluntary body functions and in turn, strengthens our immune system. Acupuncture regulates blood pressure, blood flow and body temperature.

Before surgery, we sometimes manifest symptoms in the form of physical pain, fatigue, tingling or numbness or most certainly stress and anxiety. Just thinking about the procedure can make us a nervous wreak. Acupuncture is very helpful during this time, since it helps to relieve anxiety, decrease pain symptoms that maybe occurring and strengthening the immune function. This gives us the advantage, even during surgery since acupuncture can regulate blood and body fluids.

After surgery, our bodies perceive this invasive procedure, as an attack. Our immune system is weakened, the gastrointestinal tract is comprimised and this leaves our bodies more vulnerable to infection. Acupuncture, post-surgery, can start as soon as possible. Acupuncture accelerates the healing process, increases the immune function, helps the body build more red blood cells and regulates blood, increase circulation of lymph and othe body fluids, regulates the gastrointestinal tract and relieves pain. Scar tissue is another factor with surgery. Usually two weeks after surgery, scar therapy with acupuncture needles can be done to help reduce the size as well as prevent keloid healing.

Depending on the surgery, herbal medicine can be used to help speed up the recovery time and help reduce scarring, as well. Supplements that can boost the immune function and reduce infection include vitamins, minerals and amino acid.

Glutamine is one of the most abundant amino acids in our bodies, found in the gastrointestinal tract. This amino acid is compromised when there is surgery or the immune function is low. Studies have shown that Glutamine is one of the best amino acid supplements after surgery.

Vitamins A, C and the B vitamins increase the immune function and help with wound healing.

Minerals such as Selenium help to stimulate immune function and fight infection, while Zinc enhances the immune system and assists in wound healing.

So before and after you have surgery, consider having acupuncture and help your body to a speedy recovery!

Acupuncture and Bell's Palsy

by Andrew Pacholyk MS, L.Ac.

Bell's palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from damage to the VII (facial) cranial nerve. This nerve disorder afflicts approximately 40,000 Americans each year. It can strike almost anyone at any age; however, it disproportionately attacks pregnant women and people who have diabetes, influenza, a cold, or some other upper respiratory ailment.

In addition to one-sided facial paralysis with possible inability to close the eye, symptoms of Bell's palsy may include pain, tearing, drooling, hypersensitivity to sound in the affected ear, and impairment of taste.

The common cold sore virus, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and other herpes viruses are the likely cause of many cases of Bell's palsy. HSV has been observed in saliva (Furuta, Fukuda et al. 1998) as well as muscle biopsy and tears (Kaygusuz, Godekmerdan et al. 2004) of Bell's palsy patients at significantly higher rates than control groups. One study found that approximately 50% of Bell's palsy patients show signs of the virus compared to approximately 19% of the normal population (Furuta, Fukuda et al. 1998). However, an opposing trial found HSV as well as VZV to be non-significantly represented in affected groups (Linder, Bossart et al. 2005). The life span of the virus and the timing of testing for HSV may explain these conflicting conclusions. Furuta (1998) discovered in his trial that HSV became undetectable after two weeks onset of Bell's palsy. The evidence suggesting HSV as the major cause of this condition is demonstrated further by the success of specific antiviral agents which have shown continued success against HSV infections (Adour, Ruboyianes et al. 1996; Allen and Dunn 2004; Allen and Dunn 2005). Furthermore, injections into rat specimens with HSV have recreated facial paralysis in approximate 50% of specimens (Gok, Alpay et al. 2005).

In Western medicine, recent studies have shown that steroids are probably effective and that the drug acyclovir combined with prednisone is possibly effective in improving facial function. This is now the protocol of choice for Western doctors.

Other treatments are usually aimed at protecting the eye from drying at nighttime. Some physicians may prescribe a corticosteroid drug to help reduce inflammation and an analgesic to relieve pain.

The prognosis for Bell's palsy is generally very good. With the Western Medicine approach of drug treatment, most patients begin to get significantly better within 3-4 weeks, and about 80 percent recover completely within 3 months. For some, however, the symptoms may last longer. In a few cases, the symptoms may never completely disappear. The odds with electrostim-acupuncture are much higher. Treatment started with a week of the event, can improve the symptoms with 6 visits with complete recovery and normal facial symmetry within 12 -14 visits. The longer a persons goes without treatment, the longer the recovery time.

Acupuncture Therapy

I treat Bell's Palsy in my practice all the time, as acupuncture gets incredible results. My choice of protocol is electro-stimulation acupuncture. This effectively stimulates the facial nerves on a deeper level than TENS, electro-pads or anti-viral medications alone. I have found that approximately 12-14 treatments are needed to return the face back to its normal look and feel. This form of acupuncture stops pain, relaxes the facial paralysis, brings the feeling back through the nerve endings, stops the drooling and tearing and helps the eye close again. This protocol essentially returns the face back to normal in one-third the time of any other treatment I have seen for this disorder.

Bell's Palsy (Zhong Feng) is considered a Wind Attack or External Wind Stroke attack. The main pattern differentiation being a Wind invasion due to emptiness of the Channels (Maclean and Lyttleton 1998). In Chinese Medicine, Wind is said to be the carrier of 1,000 diseases. Wind is thought to take advantage of the deficiency (weakness) a patient is experiencing and enters the body attacking the sinews and vessels in the area of the face. This results in vital energy (Qi) and the blood to stagnate causing the inability of the facial muscles to relax and therefore contract (Wolfe 2003). The principle of treatment is to expel Wind and promote the movement of Qi and blood by scattering the stagnation.

More times than not, the patient that walks into my office is often, under great stress! They are either dealing with work related stress, having difficulties in their home or family life and are often the type A personality.

As I work in the area of fertility, it is the occasional pregnant patient that will present with this disorder, as well.

Patients who come in for treatment of Bell's Palsy will often tell me they sleep with a fan on them (wind) or near an open window. I seem to get a flux of Bell's patients in the office in the Spring and Fall more than any other seasons.

Bell's Palsy is the most common disease of the facial nerve. It is presumably due to an inflammatory reaction in or around the facial nerve near the stylomastoid foramen. According to Liu (1995), when acupuncture was initiated within three days postonset in 684 cases of facial nerve paralysis, 100 percent of the patients were cured or there was a marked improvement (5). Other studies (Gao, Chen, 1991) revealed that 80% of cases that were treated at more than 2 months post-onset, and 83 percent of severe cases, were cured or had excellent effect (6). Treatment, as with this patient, may include numerous diagnostic procedures, different classes of medications, lifestyle alterations, and still, continued suffering. Acupuncture may often lead to significant clinical improvement (7).

Acupuncture points used in this protocol include Stomach 2,3,4,5,6,7 Bitong, Large Intestine 19, 20, Small intestine 18, Gall Bladder 14, 20, YuYao, San Jiao 17, Du 26, Du 20, Urinary Bladder 2, JiaChengJiang, Yintang, TaiYang, Stomach 36, Gall Bladder 34, Liver 3, Large Intestine 4, Lung 7, San Jiao 5 and Spleen 6.

Herbal Therapy

For patients who are not pregnant, an herbal formula is recommended based on their pattern and signs and symptoms. The most important herbs for this disorder should include herbs to treat wind attack and anti-viral herbs such as Qin Jiao, Fang Feng, Xi Xin, Bai Shao, Di Long, Fu Ling, Gan Cao, Chuan Xiong, Pu Gong Ying, Dang Gui.

Variations on this formula are important to change as the patient's situation change.

In conclusion, Bell's palsy is a physical and emotionally debilitating condition in which conventional medicine has limited understanding and efficacy. The exposure to external sources (stress, environment) cause the immune system to produce an inflammatory response. This inflammation can then obstruct the normal function of the nerves and vessels resulting in paralysis. Chinese medicine has treated conditions such as Bell's palsy for centuries. Chinese medicine and acupuncture on a regular basis can significantly improve results and help to resolve this condition.

References

1. O'Connor J, Bensky D. Acupuncture a comprehensive text. Seattle: Eastland Press 1981; 367-372.
2. Ibid, 609-610.
3. Stux G, Pomeranz B. Acupuncture textbook and atlas. Berlin: Springer-Verlag 1987; 296.
4. Evans RA, Hames ML, Baguley DM, Moffat DA. Reliability of the House and Brackmann grading system for facial palsy. J Laryngol Otol Nov 1989; 103(11): 1045.
5. Liu YT. A new classification system and combined treatment method for idiopathic facial nerve paralysis: report of 718 cases. Am JAcup 1995; 23(3),205-210.
6. Gao HB, Chen D. Clinic al observation on 60 cases of peripheral facial paralysis treated with acupointure penetration needling. Int J Clin Acup 1991; 2(1),25-28.
7. NIH Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD, Nov 1997; 93-109.
8. Gok, U., H. C. Alpay, et al. (2005). "Comparisons of steroid, acyclovir, lipoprostoglandin E1 and steroid + acyclovir treatments in facial paralysis: A rat study." International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 69(9): 1199-1204.
9. Grogan, P. and G. Gronseth (2004). "Practice parameter: Steroids, acyclovir, and surgery for Bell's palsy (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology." Neurology 56(7): 830-836.
10. Hato, N., S. Matsumoto, et al. (2003). "Efficacy of early treatment of Bell's palsy with oral acyclovir and prednisolone." Otology & Neurotology: Official Publication Of The American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [And] European Academy Of Otology And Neurotology 24(6): 948-951.
11. He, L., D. Zhou, et al. (2004). "Acupuncture for Bell's palsy." Cochrane Database Syst Rev(1): CD002914.
12. He, S., H. Zhang, et al. (1995). "Review on acupuncture treatment of peripheral facial paralysis during the past decade." Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 15(1): 63-67.

Worlds AIDS Day: HIV and Alternative Medicine

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

The fact that there has to be a "day" for this disorder, saddens me, yet it is appropriate for everyone to be more aware and that is why, as a society, we do this.

HIV is a virus. Viruses infect the cells of living organisms and replicate (make new copies of themselves) within those cells. A virus can also damage human cells, which is one of the things that can make an infected creature become ill.

People can become infected with HIV from other people who already have it, and when they are infected they can then go on to infect other people. Basically, this is how HIV is spread.

HIV stands for the 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus'. Someone who is diagnosed as infected with HIV is said to be 'HIV+' or 'HIV positive'.

HIV Statistics

*More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.
*Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans.
*At the end of 2006, women accounted for 48% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa.
*Young people (15-24 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide - around 6,000 become infected with HIV every day.
*In developing and transitional countries, 6.8 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 1.65 million are receiving the drugs.

Ways in which you can be infected with HIV

-Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person

-Sexual intercourse without a condom is risky, because the virus, which is present in an infected person's sexual fluids, can pass directly into the body of their partner. This is true for unprotected vaginal and anal sex.

-Oral sex carries a lower risk, but again HIV transmission can occur here if a condom is not used - for example, if one partner has bleeding gums or an open cut, however small, in their mouth.

-Contact with blood from an infected person.

-If sufficient blood from an infected person enters the body of an uninfected person then it can pass on the virus.

-From mother to child. HIV can be transmitted from an infected woman to her baby during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. There are special drugs that can greatly reduce the chances of this happening, but they are unavailable in much of the developing world.

-Use of infected blood products. Many people in the past have been infected with HIV by the use of blood transfusions and blood products which were contaminated with the virus - in hospitals, for example. In much of the world this is no longer a risk, as blood donations are routinely tested.

-Injecting drugs. People who use illegal injected drugs are also vulnerable to HIV infection. In many parts of the world, often because it is illegal to possess them, injecting equipment or works are shared. A tiny amount of blood can transmit HIV, and can be injected directly into the bloodstream with the drugs.

It is not possible to become infected with HIV through:

-sharing crockery and cutlery
-insect / animal bites
-touching, hugging or shaking hands
-eating food prepared by someone with HIV
-toilet seats

Global statistics can be found at: http://www.avert.org/worldstats.htm

Know Your Numbers

Two numbers should be looked at, when discussing HIV infection:

If you are being treated for HIV or AIDS, your doctor uses a number of blood tests to check how you're doing. One of the most important tests measures VIRAL LOAD, the amount of HIV in your blood. Another very important test counts your CD4 CELLS, sometimes called T-CELLS. CD4 cells are a key part of your body's disease-fighting defenses, called the immune system.

CD4 cells help to organize your body's defenses against disease. Doctors can take a sample of your blood and count the number of CD4 cells. Healthy adults and teenagers usually have a CD4 count of at least 800 cells per CUBIC MILLIMETER of blood (a cubic millimeter is a very small amount, roughly one small drop).

HIV attacks CD4 cells, and as time goes by people with HIV often see their CD4 counts drop. The lower your CD4 count, the greater your chances of getting a number of very serious diseases. When your CD4 count is below 200, the risk of illness becomes severe.

Viral load tests, which tell the doctor how much HIV is in your blood, are a very important clue to how quickly HIV is doing harm. These tests go by several different names, like PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or bDNA (branched DNA), but they all work roughly the same way. They count HIV's genetic material -- the building blocks of the virus. People with a high viral load are much more likely to get sick or die of AIDS than people with a low viral load.

Studies have shown that when treatment reduces your viral load, it also reduces your chance of getting an AIDS-related infection or dying. Recently, a group of expert scientists reviewed 18 studies of anti-HIV drugs, which involved over 5,000 patients. Over and over again they found the same thing: The more viral load was reduced, the healthier the patients stayed.

Alternative Medicine and HIV

Over the last decade, researchers have identified a number of drugs that slow progression of the virus as well as therapies to treat the many opportunistic infections that attack people with HIV disease.

Although as yet, there is no cure, the key to effective treatment is early detection and intervention. This is done by strengthening the immune system, reduce stress, maintain good nutritional practices and exercise as a way to relieve stress and boost your immune system.

Whether you have been diagnosed with HIV or not there should be an emphasis on improving lifestyle issues. Taking control of or your life and taking an active role in any disorder is an important adjunct to treatment. Consideration of alternative therapies in conjunction with conventional medicine may offer additional opportunities for those living with HIV/AIDS to be proactive in their treatments.

Mind Medicine

Stress is natural and affects your emotions. It can help you to deal with some situations. However, excessive stress can cause physical symptoms, it can damage your immune system and make you ill. Find ways of managing the stress in your life. Find ways to relax and recharge your batteries. Listen to your body; if you are tired, rest and you'll be better for it.

HIV can bring anxieties. One way of tackling these are through getting information, by learning about your condition, gaining confidence in it, in yourself and making informed choices for your future.

Boost Your Immune System with Meditation

Fold your hands gently in your lap and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths. Then just sit. If you have never meditated before, you will probably feel as if your mind is full of thoughts. Don't try to stop the thoughts, just watch them. Imagine that you are on the bank of a river and that your thoughts are the river going by. Don't try to stop the river, just watch it. Within a week, you will see the river begin to slow down. You may become impatient, or even bored. That's okay. If you find yourself complaining, just watch the thoughts pass by. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes. You may find that you fall asleep because you are so relaxed. That's good because, in many ways, you have begun to let go. Continue at this pace and each day allow just alittle more time for yourself to meditate. Doing this allows you to relax and forget about time.

Consider these alternative therapies: Acupuncture, ayurveda, bodywork & massage, diet therapies, herbal medicine, homeopathy, mind-body therapies, Siddha medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Unani medicine and yoga.

Herbs, Supplements and Vitamins Beneficial for HIV Infection

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that have at least one unpaired electron, which makes them highly reactive. Free radicals promote beneficial oxidation that produces energy and kills bacterial invaders. However, in excess, they produce harmful oxidation or "oxidative stress" that can damage cell membranes and cell contents. These free radicals cause inflammation.

In human beings, free radicals are the natural by-products of many processes within and among cells. Free radicals are created by exposure to various environmental factors, cigarette and tobacco smoke, air pollution, alcohol, drugs, radiation from televisions and computers, chemicals and a busy, stressful life.

Antioxidants are a classification of several organic substances, which include vitamins C and E, vitamin A (converted from beta- carotene), selenium, alpha lipoic acid, and carotenoids. Together as antioxidants, these substances are thought to be effective in helping to prevent certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts. At the cellular level, antioxidants serve to deactivate certain free radicals in turn helping to decrease inflammation. The best source for antioxidants are in fruits and vegetables. Acetyl-l-carnitine: is a molecule that occurs naturally in the brain, liver, and kidney. Natural levels of Acetyl-l-carnitine diminish as we age. Acetyl-l-carnitine is related to the amino acid L-Carnitine, which is a carrier of fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes, where energy is produced within each cell. N-Acetyl Cysteine (N-AC) is protective to Liver tissue and aids in breaking down excessive mucus.

Alpha Lipoic Acid: is a unique antioxidant that is both water and fat soluble, which allows it to enter all parts of the cell to neutralize free radicals. Alpha Lipoic Acid contributes to and is important for the production of energy inside the cell by utilizing sugar to produce energy contributing to mental and physical stamina, reducing muscle fatigue and neutralizes free radicals. Alpha Lipoic Acid recycles and enhances the effects of both Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Alpha Lipoic Acid targets liver protection and is helpful for patients on hepatotoxic medications such as antiretrovirals, antifungals and typically any long-term medication protocols. No known contraindications exist. Possible side effects include skin rash and the potential of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients. People who may be deficient in vitamin B1 (such as alcoholics) should take vitamin B1 along with alpha lipoic acid supplements.

Astragalus: is a Chinese herb that has been used for centuries for its immuno-modulating qualities. There is mixed scientific evidence on its efficacy with HIV, but well documented studies on its ability to stimulate the immune system. This herb is used often used in conjunction with other immune boosters such as reishi, maitake and shitake mushrooms.

Beta-carotene: (Carotenoids), of which beta-carotenes are the most popular, are found in many fruits and vegetables, animals, plants and microorganisms. The body converts beta carotene into Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, growth, cell division, reproduction and immunity. Among the 600 or more carotenoids in foods, beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein are well- known leaders in the fight to reduce the damage from free radicals and are helpful with eye health.

Boxwood: has been shown in research to foster immune stimulation and promotion of t-cell activation. This can be found in capsule and tincture.

CoQ10: (Coenzyme Q10) is a vitamin-like compound also called "ubiquinone". It is an essential component of cells and is utilized by the mitochondria in the normal process of energy production. It helps convert food into energy at a cellular level. Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant, much like vitamins C and E, helping to neutralize the cell-damaging molecules known as free radicals. CoQ10 is one in a series of ubiquinones, naturally occurring compounds produced in nearly every cell of the body, and was discovered as recently as 1957.

The primary function of CoQ10 is as a catalyst for metabolism. Acting in conjunction with enzymes, the compound speeds up the vital metabolic process, providing the energy that the cells need to digest food, heal wounds, maintain healthy muscles, and perform other bodily functions as a major antioxidant in cardiac tissue and has protective effects on brain tissue. Studies indicate high dosage can be used safely and effectively. Certain cholesterol lowering drugs have also been shown to deplete coenzyme Q-10. Patients on cholesterol lowering drugs should consider adding at least 200mg of CoQ-10 daily.

Echinacea: (see drug-herb interactions) has been documented to stimulate the chemicals that promote t-cell activation and antibody production. It is very effective in lessening the course of the common cold and respiratory infections when used short term. There are some conflicting studies on its use long term as well as a caution that it may briefly increase viral load. Avoid long term (7- 10 days only) use as well as use prior to viral load blood counts. During the acute onset of a cold, 2 to 4 cups of strong echinacea tea or 3 capsules 3 times daily can help limit the course of the illness.

Fiber: helps in regulating lipid levels, removes toxins and provides bulk for healthy bowel habits. The colon requires bulk for it to achieve healthy movement. Optimal intake of fiber is about 25-30 grams per day. The ideal combination of soluble fiber (psyllium husk) and insoluble fiber (flax oil, fiber) helps to absorb water and toxins and adds roughage to bulk up stool and sweep away built up debris in the intestinal tract.

Foods high in fiber are fruits such as apples peaches, raspberries and tangerines. Vegetables such as acorn squash, raw broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, black-eyed peas, cooked zucchini, kidney beans and lima beans. Also cooked whole- grain cereal, cold (All-Bran, Total, Bran Flakes), whole-grain cereal, hot (oatmeal, Wheatena) and whole-wheat or 7-grain bread.

Powdered psyllium is a quality source of supplemental fiber. Be sure to drink plenty of water, otherwise the fiber will form an obstructing mass, adding to your condition. Start with one rounded tablespoon of the powder stirred well into a glass of water or diluted juice.

Fish Oil: is known for being rich in unsaturated fatty acids and provides rich OMEGA-3 fatty acids, (Pure EPA 360mg/DHA 240mg). Fish Oils are made from natural marine lipid concentrate and may help reduce or inhibit risk factors involved in cardiovascular disease, as well as inflammatory and immune disorders. Long term use of fish oil shelp prevent aging skin, menopausal symptoms, promote better circulation, lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce heart related risk, and the pain of arthritis. Omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish and deep sea fish oil help to protect against heart and blood vessel disease. Natural, essential fatty acids are essential to normal human cell and tissue growth and maintenance. If not found regularly in the diet, the diet must be supplemented. These fatty acids are especially abundant in brain cells, nerve relay stations (synapses), visual receptors (retinas), adrenal glands, and sex glands. The most biologically active tissues in the body. Take. 1000mg of fish oil in the morning and 1,000 mg in the evening.

Flaxseed oil: is derived from the seeds of the flax plant. Flaxseed oil and flaxseed contain substances that promote good health and is used as a nutritional supplement. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid, which appears to be beneficial for heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, cholesterol and a variety of other health conditions. Flaxseed also contains a group of chemicals called lignans that may play a role in the prevention of cancer. Take 1,000 mg of flaxseed oil in the morning and 1,000 mg in the evening.

Ginger: is helpful in tea or herb form for controlling nausea and vomiting. An anti-inflammatory, ginger has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory. Taking 6�50 grams of fresh or powdered ginger per day indicated that ginger might be helpful. Suggested Dosage: 0.5 to 1 mg of powdered ginger daily

Glutamine: is one of the most abundant amino acids in our bodies, found in the gastrointestinal tract. This amino acid is compromised when the immune function is low. Studies have shown that Glutamine is one of the best amino acid supplements in maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal lining and helps to repair gastrointestinal damage. It can also be helpful in managing diarrhea. 1 to 2 grams of powdered glutamine may be mixed in smoothies or water.

Licorice: (Glycerrhiza) (see drug-herb interactions) also has been used as a complementary immune modulator, although it should be avoided in people with hypertension. In my experience the immune modulators work much better when combined together rather than used as singular treatments. Licorice can be consumed as a tea daily and the mushrooms may be included in food preparation or taken in liquid tincture form for a more consistent higher dose.

Pau D'arco and Una de Gato: (Cat's Claw) are also clinically used to stimulate immune function and may be consumed in tea form daily or liquid tincture either during acute illness or as a preventative measure.

Probiotics: (Acidophilus, Bifidus, lactobacillus spirogenes) help to maintain balance of good and dangerous bacteria and compete for the food the dangerous bacteria need to grow and cause us problems. Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus may be found in yogurt with active culture or in supplements and can be consumed freely without known side effects. It should be refrigerated to maximize shelf life. Patients on antibiotic therapy, diagnosed with thrush, diarrhea or constipation should consider taking probiotics 2 capsules 3 times daily with meals. For thrush a capsule can also be opened in some water and used daily as a mouth rinse.

Vitamins A, C and the B vitamins increase the immune function. Minerals such as Selenium help to stimulate immune function and fight infection, while Zinc enhances the immune system and assists in wound healing.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Herb-drug interactions are very common. Some herbal medicines may cancel the effect of a prescription drug, others may reduce it, or even exaggerate it. If you are on HIV medication or medications for associated symptoms or disorders, consider the information below:

Dong Quai: taken for menopausal symptom control. Do not mix Dong Quai with warfarin (anticoagulants), St John's Wort and some antibiotics such as sulfonamides, quinolones.

Echinacea: mostly taken as an immune boost to prevent cold and flu. Do not mix Echinacea with some heart medications, antifungal medications, HIV medications and anti-anxiety medications.

Ephedra: A powerful decongestant. Contains ephedrine, which can open up bronchial passages. It's controversial because it's a powerful stimulant that can raise blood pressure, cause insomnia and high blood pressure. Do not mix with heart medications or if you are being treated for high blood pressure, glaucoma or thyroid problems.

Feverfew: taken to reduce the severity of migraines. Do not take with other migraine medications, as, it may raise heart rate and blood pressure. Feverfew has the potential to react with warfarin anti- coagulants, increasing the thinning of blood.

Ginkgo: increases blood flow and circulation throughout the body, can also help improve memory. May interact with anti-coagulant medications such as Aspirin, Coumadin, heparin and warfarin, causing the blood to thin too much, and provoking a serious bleeding disorder. A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine describes a case of a man who'd been taking Aspirin to prevent a heart attack and had spontaneous bleeding into the eye from the iris within a week of taking a daily dose of ginkgo. Should not be taken with HIV medications.

Garlic: is thought to help lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of blood clots that could lead to heart attacks. Garlic capsules may increase blood thinning if you are already on anti- coagulants. Do not take with diabetes medication because it may cause a decrease in blood sugars. Use caution with HIV medications.

Ginseng: used to help reduce stress, boost energy and improve stamina, and may also help lower cholesterol. Can cause nervousness and excitation, and overuse can lead to headaches, insomnia and heart palpitations. Can increase blood pressure. Should not be used if you are taking prescriptions for high blood pressure or Coumadin.

Hawthorn: claimed to be effective in helping reduce angina attacks by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Should not be taken digoxin, a heart medication. The mix may lower heart rate too much.

Kava: is used to treat anxiety. It's also used to relieve insomnia and nervousness. Do not take Kava if you have a history of liver problems. Also do not mix with antidepressants, sedatives, and do not mix Kava with alcohol.

Licorice: used to treat coughs, colds and peptic ulcers. High doses can lead to increased blood pressure, water retention and potassium loss. Do not use with diuretics or digoxin because it could lead to further loss of potassium, essential for heart function.

St. John's wort: a natural anti-depressant for mild to moderate depression. Do not take with other anti-depressants, HIV medications, oral contraceptives, some heart/blood thinning medications and Tamoxifen (a cancer drug).

Valerian: a mild sedative with hypnotic effects, used to promote sleep, Should not be taken with alcohol or Valium.

Safe Sex Tips

1. Use latex condom for vaginal and anal intercourse. Use water-based lubricant (K-Y, Astroglide, and Probe); oil-containing products (Crisco, Vaseline, baby oil, lotion, and whipped cream) can destroy latex. A drop of lube inside the condom may increase sensitivity. Don't use saliva as a lubricant.

2. Other contraceptive devices do not protect against AIDS. Product containing nonoxyno1-9 (a spermicide) can kill HIV and may provide extra protection, but should not be relied on alone. Some studies show that nonoxyno1-9 can cause genital irritation that may promote HIV infection, especially with very frequent intercourse. The effects of ingesting nonoxyno1-9 are unstudied.

3. Blood-to-blood contact is the most direct route of HIV transmission. Sharing needles (for drug steroids piercing or tattooing) razors or any implement that draws blood is dangerous since blood may be left on used implements. Clean needles by rinsing several times with bleach then with water. Avoid contact with blood in s/m scenes. Whips or knives that break the skin should not be used on another person until disinfected with bleach or a cleaning solution.

4. Use an unlubricated condom for oral sex if a man will come in your mouth. For oral sex on a woman or oral-anal sex (rimming) use a dental dam (latex square) a condom or latex glove cut to produce a flat sheet or non-microwaveable food wrap. Rinse powder off dams before use. Use all barrier only once and only on one person.

5. Oral sex on a man without ejaculation or on a non-menstruating woman is thought to be low risk activity. There is a risk that HIV could enter through small cuts of opening in the mouth gums of throat. Avoid brushing your teeth two hours before or after oral sex to minimize abrasions.

6. If you share sex toys like dildos or vibrators put on a fresh condom for each user (and when going from anus to vagina) or guard bleach alcohol or soap and water.

7. Use latex gloves for "finger penetration" or fisting to guard the wearer against infection through cuts on the hand or arm and to guard the partner against injury from fingernails.

8. Touching and kissing are safe. It is safe to get semen vaginal fluid or urine on unbroken skin. No AIDS cases have been traced to kissing, including deep (French) kissing.

9. Precautions against HIV infection can protect you from other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, herpes, yeast infections, amoebiasis, and hepatitis B.

10. Preventing other STDs can in turn minimize your chances of getting HIV infection, since many STDs cause sores in the genital or anal area or around the mouth which can provide a path for HIV transmission.

Alignment in the New Consciousness

by Shirley Knapp, Author of Sustaining Joy http://www.northwindsprod.com/sustainingjoy.htm
www.shirleyknapp.com

At times it seems as though our lives are a bit challenging, perhaps frustrating, and, even in our darkest times, fearful. You may ask yourself, how do I live a more balanced life? When we have set our goals for truth, and living the life of unconditional love, we must remember that, it will always take us to the next steps of our spiritual journey.

This must be done without fear of change or resistance to growth. Others who watch you gradually shift and change need to understand that you embrace unconditional love as your choice in your life, and whatever lessons this brings to you; you need for your growth.

It is important for you to understand that, in your life, you have what you truly need to take the next steps into alignment. You are being guided by your intuition to go exactly where you need to go.

There is no need to fear the unknown and when you release the fear and develop trust you will take your next step in spiritual growth. Your inner soul searching is powerful and takes you where you need to be in your life. It doesn't support you to skip over your lessons,or go around them. It's the next rung on the ladder on your spiritual path. Support each other through these times; hold each other's hands and embrace each other's hearts emotionally because this isn't an easy exercise for any of us. The joy comes in knowing that you are clearly provided for, taken care of and never alone. This is how you will make the next shift in your consciousness and in making some shifts you'll feel more joyful and light than in others.

This particular shift into alignment has a different quality of a deeper, inward, soul search --deeper than you've gone ever before. But that's the beauty in the depth of which you are searching. It takes you into a new place, in your life. You are not ever without support and you must hold tightly to your truth. In essence, you must understand that very few people on this earth live in this particular way and walk in two worlds. What you are doing here is walking with a foot in two different worlds, gathering the strength from both dimensions. It's a very supportive place, and you will feel the self-empowerment in walking in both worlds. As you learn how to do this, you'll teach others how to do this because, as the consciousness shifts, others will ask you, "How do you live in this in this fearful world without falling apart? Your world is shifting very quickly, and what is not aligned with you, cannot remain.

The alignment of consciousness is the most important thing for us to focus on at this time. It is not what you do; it is how you feel when you do it. It's not whom you connect with; it's how do you feel when you connect with them. The alignment in the very core of your soul needs to be shifted and tuned until you can feel the balance of alignment.

This next piece is to feel aligned on all levels that you share, whether it is how you work, how you relate to others, or how you live. This is how you help yourself and others shift into this new time.

You will notice the earth also shifting and changing. What is not aligned is being released. Let go. Those of you that walk the earth that are not aligned with the consciousness at this time are also being released with these changes. But the beauty is, When you do release and let go and open, the newness will be brought to you in a new level of comfort. Hold tight to both worlds. There are no gaps between the two. They overlap. Choose joy and alignment in your life. Joy is your choice!

The Allergy Elimination Diet

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

By removing specific foods from our diet, we have a better sense of what the culprit is and what it is that is triggering the reaction.

Excessive protein may irritate the immune system and keep it in a state of overreactivity. The protein in cow's milk, specifically, is a frequent offender, and for people with a genetic predisposition to allergy it may be a hidden cause. One general treatment strategy, therefore, is to follow a low-protein diet and try to eliminate milk and milk products.

Food allergies can play a major role during childhood. They are related before age 6. You can manipulate an infant's diet and do well in helping their skin. Eggs, orange juice, peanuts, corn and milk have been implicated as aggravators in children. Parents should consult with their physicians about trying elimination diets. In general, these are foods that should not be eliminated. It is only after testing them by, first eliminating them and then re-introducing them back into the diet. Such diets seem to work best in infants less than 2 years old. After age 6, it is believed by experts that food plays a minimal role in most people.

For adults, diet manipulation should be undergone by each individual. If you think there's any food you eat that has an adverse effect on your body, avoid it and see what happens, If your problem clears up,you may have a food allergy.

First, eliminate the food you feel is causing trouble for a two week period.

Second, re-introduce the food (one at a time only) back into your diet for a week. If symptoms start to recur (itchy throat, phlegm, digestive upset, nasal congestion...) you are most likely allergic or have some type of sensitivity to that particular food.

Natural, accurate ways to test for food allergies and food sensitivities that are non-invasive.

1. Take your resting pulse rate for a full 60 seconds.

2. Hold a bit of food that you are testing in your mouth. Do not chew or swallow it, just hold it there.

3. While you have the food in your mouth, take your pulse rate again. If it remains the same, you are most likely not allergic or sensitive to it. If it goes up 3 beats or more, you most likely are either sensitive and/or allergic.and you should follow up with your healthcare provider.

Managing Your Allergies

Antihistamines interfere with brain activity, causing drowsiness and depression. Never use antihistamines if you have a tendency toward depression or mental dullness. Even when these drugs do not depress mental activity, they merely suppress allergy rather than cure it. As a result the pattern of immune overresponsiveness is strengthened rather than weakened, meaning that more treatment will be required in the future.

This is even more so with steroid drugs (cortisone and related compounds). Never use cortisone, prednisone, or other steroid drugs to treat allergic reactions unless they are very severe or life-threatening. If you must take these powerful hormones, limit your use of them to two weeks. Steroids perpetuate allergy through their suppressive action. They also lower immunity.

Air-conditioning your house is probably the single most important thing you can do to alleviate pollen problems, and it can help with two other chief inhalants: mold and dust mites.

Vitamin C has antihistamine activity. Vitamin C supplementation has been reported to help people with hay fever in preliminary research. Consider 3,000 - 6,000 mg of Vitamin C in divided doses, per day.

Bioflavonoids such as Quercetin, might act synergistically with Vitamin C as both have antihistaminic activity. Although some doctors of natural medicine advise people with hay fever to take 400 mg of Quercetin two to three times per day, only limited preliminary clinical research has yet suggested that Quercetin benefits people with this condition.

Emotional Aspects:

There is an emotional aspect to every illness. Often times, it is the emotional thoughts or "excess emotions" that will lead to illness.

According to metaphysical expert Louise Hay, allergies relate to the fact that we deny our own power! Who are you allergic to? Emotional congestion, fear of the calendar or a belief in self-persecution or guilt are other issues that tend to come up very often with those who have allergies.

Again this emotional aspect is, indeed, part of the ellimination diet that must be addressed as well, in order to heal.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also looks at allergies in an energetic way. Acupuncturist Heidi M. Hawkins, L.Ac explains allergies in TCM, which is an energetic medical system, meaning it affects a person's health via their energy systems. "Energy (Qi) courses through the body in pathways called meridians. TCM seeks to address any imbalance in health by affecting this energy. All symptoms, including allergies, are indicative of an energy imbalance.

An allergy, by energetic definition, is the body's signal that something isn't right. Allergies call attention through a reaction to anything that a person is not in "right relationship" with. This could be virtually anything: things found in nature, man-made chemicals, even another person! All "sensitivities" and "intolerances" are included in this, a very broad definition of allergy. Energetic definition of allergy does not require immune response to an allergen, only a reaction of some kind: something which disrupts the balance of a person's qi in any way.

Allergies make sense. The body responds with an allergic reaction as a way of communicating to you that you have had too much of something. The body tells you to stay away from something for a good reason, such as toxic overload. Something as simple as a food can become toxic if too much of it is eaten, especially if it is not properly metabolized. Many people have compromised digestive metabolism because of poor diet, medications such as antibiotics, and the presence of parasitic organisms or Lingering Pathogenic Factors. To address the allergy properly, it is important to treat these underlying reasons, and not just the allergy itself."

These are all musts, that I always suggest a patient do in case of allergies. The Allergy Elimination Diet is the best way to balance all aspects of your mind, body and emotional spirit.

Natural Antihistamine Herbs

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Histamine is a chemical, which is involved in our local immune response as well as regulating physiological function in the gut, acting as a neurotransmitter. During the time of seasonal allergies, the body's immune system sees pollen as an invader. In an allergic reaction, our body produces histamine, as a defense mechanism. This inflammatory chemical attaches the cells in our body and causes irritation. It is the deficiency of this enzyme that triggers an allergic reaction as histamines gathers in the synapses.

An antihistamine serves to reduce or eliminate the effects brought on by histamine, a chemical mediator released during allergic reactions. Antihistamines are commonly used for allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, contact dermatitis, urticaria (hives), angioedema and pruritus (atopic dermatitis, insect bites).

There are hundreds of plants used all over the world, which are used in herbal medicine as treatments for hystamine attacks. Here are some of the most accessible and reliable.

Basil (Ocimum sanctum): this great herb has a history in helping prevent stomach cramps, gas as well as constipation. A poultice of Basil leaves can can work as an antihistamine to draw out insect, bee wasp, or snake venom. It helps alleviate acne, heal abrasions and speeds healing when used on cuts.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): is rich in anti-histamine properties. The flowers can be crushed and used as a poultice for inflammatory swelling. Make a tea and drink 2-3 times a day. Chamomile can cause histaminic allergic reactions in some very sensitive people. If this occurs, simply discontinue.

Jewelweed (Impatiens aurea): contains a compound called "Lawsone" that treats uticaria. Jewelweed is used as a natural remedy for poison ivy, poison oak, okra spines, stinging nettle and acne treatment. Jewelweed is also used for heat rash, ringworm and many other skin disorders, as well as bug bites and razor burn.

Papaya (Petroselinum crispum): inhibits the secretion of histamine. Papaya juice can be taken internally as well as applied topically to diffuse a histamine attack.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): The very same plant that will produce hives if its hairs inject their histamine into you can work to heal the problem. Some herbs whose pollen can cause symptoms of hay fever have been used as a way to reduce symptoms of hay fever, which is the homeopathic theory of "like cures like". The most important of these are Goldenrod and Ragweed (Ambrosia ambrosioides). Eyebright and Elder also have a reputation for use as hay fever remedies. However, an individual allergic to one of these plants should avoid them unless under the care of a doctor of natural medicine. Freeze-dried nettle leaf extract taken in capsule form will treat hives and allergies. The plant does not contain enough histamine to cause a problem when taken orally. Tea can be made from the leaves or cooked as greens. The stinging hairs lose their sting when the plant is cooked.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): Echinacea is a widely used herbal remedy for treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. This purple coneflower has shown to have antihistamine properties.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): In my Chinese herbal practice, fennel is used for indigestion, spasms in the digestive tract, as well as expelling phlegm from the lungs. Fennel is rich with the antioxidant flavonoid "Quercetin". Quercetin is a strong natural antihistamine shown to be very helpful for allergies and histamine-related inflammation. Make as a tea and drink 2-3 times per day.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale): another classic herb in the Chinese Materia Medica, ginger works well on allergic reactions such as hives and wheals. Slice up a ginger root boil it in eight cups of water for 30 minutes. Allow the herbs to steep for another 30 after you have boiled it. Drink 2 to 3 cups a day. You may add the tea to a hot bath and soak for 20 minutes. Dip a wash cloth in the tea once it is at room temperature and use as a compress.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Hailed the "mushroom of immortality", one of my favorite natural remedies is Reishi (Ling Zhi). Japanese researchers have found that reishi acts as an antihistamine, making it useful for treating allergies. "Lanostan", a compound found in reishi, appears to control the release of transmitting chemicals in the body, thereby inhibiting the release of histamine. Since reishi also promotes the adrenal function and immune reaction, it has added effectiveness in controlling the body's reaction to an allergen.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): is a natural antihistamine, as well as having antiseptic properties to help purge infections. The essential oil has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against a host of different bacteria and fungi.

Vitamin C is believed to be a natural antihistamine agent if used at high doses, around 3,000mg to 5,000mg a day.

Wild Oregano (Origanum vulgare): aka Wild Marjoram, have at least seven different antihistaminic chemicals, therefore fights allergies as well as fungus and infection.

Essential Oils As Antihistamines

Essential oils should be used in a base oil (to avoid irritation) and massaged on the skin. Never use essential oils internally.

Caraway Seed Oil: has antihistamine and antimicrobial properties and is very effective in treating mild allergic reactions.

Clove Oil: has antihistamine properties. This essential oil is helpful in the treatment of dermatitis due to allergic reactions.

Lemon balm (also known as melissa): has antihistamine action and is useful to treat eczema and headaches. This essential oil has antihistamine properties and helps with allergies.

Archetypes in Relationships

by Therese Emmanuel Grey

Archetypes are visual symbols or energetic imprints that exist in our psyches. Some are readily understood while others bring subliminal messages that are there to help you trigger your memory of why you are here and the truth behind the illusion of reality. Archetypes can often convey messages that verbal and written information cannot.

Archetypes are found everywhere - as their symbols are a language of the mind - taken to different frequencies of thought and connected to each other by the collective unconsciousness. There are individual and universal archetypes. You become aware of them in meditation - dreamtime - remote viewing or other out-of-body experiences - when you doodle on a pad - crop circles or landscape art, other art forms, jewelry, hieroglyphs, a logo, on a billboard - anywhere at all. Archetypes can also be auditory - a tone - a series of notes - a harmonic... Reality is a series of metaphors set into motion by the synchronicity of archetypes we experience.

The term Archetype began with Carl Jung. In Jung's terms - 'Archetype' is defined as the first original model of which all other similar persons, objects, or concepts are merely derivative, copied, patterned, or emulated. Carl Jung is one of the most respected and recognized psychologists of all time. Many people know Jung as one of Sigmund Freud's followers and co-workers. Jung's emphasis in the field in psychology had to do with dreams. Jung developed many theories about dreams, a lot of them disagreeing with Freud. Jung was a great psychologist and psychiatrist that changed the ways of psychology today.

Jung thought that dreams were a tool to help us grow, not just to release extreme sexual desires. Jung felt that dreams were more than about sex, they were about life. Jung said that sexual drive doesn't even motivate us as much as the fear of death. Jung was an inspiration to all in the psychology field. His theories are instrumental in psychology and psychiatry fields today. He was a brilliant man not afraid to stand on his own for what he believed in.

It was Jung, a contemporary of Edgar Cayce's, who found convincing evidence for a deep level to the unconscious mind. This profound depth, Jung felt, came from a genuine spiritual reality that hadn't been acknowledged by Freud. Jung called this level the "collective unconscious." Here all minds could communicate through the use of universal symbols - images which seem to have a common meaning among people all over the world.

For example, a symbol such as a lion or a great cat has a universal or archetypal meaning of power and vitality. Birds frequently symbolize various kinds of love or concern; water is often suggestive of the Spirit itself. An old woman or an old man or a grandfatherly figure can symbolize our own "Higher Self' or our own internal wisdom. Myths or fairy tales often have similarities among cultures, and these similarities are shown through their universal symbols and themes. Sometimes our own dreams may contain these kinds of symbols.

Of course, not all the symbols and images in our dreams represent the universal or archetypal. Many, if not most, are best interpreted by discovering the personal associations one has with that person or object. The dream symbol of a rifle, for example, would likely mean one thing to a gunsmith and something quite different to a victim of war.

These Archetype patterns derive from a universal collective unconscious, which in metaphysics is called the Grids - Akashic Records - Sea of Consciousness - that which creates our reality In this context, archetypes are innate prototypes for ideas, which may subsequently become involved in the interpretation of observed phenomena.

The four universal archetypes or energies are known as our inner family archetypes, because they are best described through the concepts of Father, Mother, Boychild and Girlchild. Each archetype has a light side and a dark side. When we express their loving qualities, we become our best self for ourselves and for others. When we yield to their unloving side, we become our worst self and end up ruining our relationships.

Generally, people who function from a strong Father archetype pursue the law. They tend to have strong boundaries and seek to download a blueprint for every situation. When their Father energy goes out of balance and becomes unloving, they can become harsh and critical toward themselves and others.

People who express a strong Mother archetype live to nurture life. They love to guide and teach others, and provide stability in any given situation. When they are threatened, they respond by either going aloof or by smothering those around them with a spoiling mechanism. Either way, they avoid further giving of themselves.

People who have a strong Boychild archetype are go-getters in life. They are highly competitive and do whatever it takes to reach their goal. When their archetype goes negative, they become overcompetitive, aggressive, and tend to run over others.

People who have a strong Girlchild archetype go with the flow. They experience life through serendipity. They are highly creative, caring and intuitive. When their sensitivity is trampled, however, the unloving side of Girlchild takes over. They become victim-martyrs, prosecutors who ultimately feel superior to their persecutors.

Working with the archetypes to improve your relationships involves several steps. First you start to recognize how you and other people express these archetypes. Some people are more comfortable with one archetype than another, and seek that energy in their relationships. People who want Mother, for example, are always looking to be nurtured by others. People who have an aversion to Boychild for example, find that energy too aggressive for them.

The next step is to understand which archetype you, and the person you’re dealing with, patterned at the conscious, subconscious, superconscious and unconscious level. Your conscious archetype is the one you think through and how you relate to others in a general way. If you have a conscious Boychild frame of reference, you will be very enterprising. If it’s conscious Mother, you would rather have all of your bases covered before making a move. If your conscious archetype is Girlchild, you see the world through intuitive, spherical and highly creative eyes.

Your subconscious archetype rules how you feel. If someone offends you, watch how you react. If you feel through subconscious Girlchild, you will be highly sensitive. This is different from people who inherit the tough underbelly of subconscious Boychild, subconscious Father or even the underlying adult quality of subconscious Mother.

Your superconscious archetype relates to the qualities you aspire to in life, and the “ideal” you seek in another person. Do you aspire to Mother, to people who nurture and teach? Are you drawn to people who exude the energy of Father and pursue order, blueprints and the letter of the law. Do you long for someone who impersonates the mystical kindness of Girlchild or do you hunger for the zestful enthusiasm of a Boychild warrior?

Knowing your unconscious archetype is also key in determining the quality of your relationships. This archetype represents your rejected self, and you project it onto others. If Boychild is in your unconscious, you will regrettably draw “bullies” to yourself, people who push your buttons. If you have Mother in the unconscious, you will tend to magnetize abandonment. If Father is your unconscious archetype, you may encounter more than a fair share of trouble with the law, and be prone to criticism. If Girlchild is your rejected archetype, you may draw to yourself wounded people who seek to prosecute you for an alleged offense.

Once you know your archetypes, you can move towards overcoming the limitations of your specific pattern. This is liberating and empowering. It will allow you to relate to your loved ones in a more authentic way so you can strengthen your relationships. You will understand what trips you up and where other people are coming from. You will have empathy and bring out the best in yourself and in others. You will truly know who you are and express your highest self.

Jungian Archetypes

by wikipedia

The anima and animus, in Carl Jung's school of analytical psychology, are the two primary anthropomorphic archetypes of the unconscious mind, as opposed to both the theriomorphic and inferior-function of the shadow archetypes, as well as the abstract symbol sets that formulate the archetype of the Self. The anima and animus are described by Jung as elements of his theory of the collective unconscious, a domain of the unconscious that transcends the personal psyche. In the unconscious of the male, it finds expression as a feminine inner personality: anima; equivalently, in the unconscious of the female it is expressed as a masculine inner personality: animus.

The anima (animus) can be identified as the totality of the unconscious feminine psychological qualities that a male possesses; or the masculine ones possessed by the female. It is an archetype of the collective unconscious and not an aggregate of father or mother, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles or teachers, though these aspects of the personal unconscious can influence for good or ill the person.

Because a man's sensitivity must often be repressed, the anima is one of the most significant autonomous complexes of all. It is said to manifest itself by appearing in dreams. It also influences a man's interactions with women and his attitudes toward them, and vice versa for females and the animus. Jung said that "the encounter with the shadow is the 'apprentice-piece' in the individual's development...that with the anima is the 'masterpiece'". Jung viewed the anima process as being one of the sources of creative ability.

In the book The Invisible Partners it is said that the key to controlling one's anima (animus) is to recognize it when it manifests and exercise our ability to discern the anima (animus) from reality.

The Persona, for Jung, was the social face the individual presented to the world - 'a kind of mask, designed on the one hand to make a definite impression upon others, and on the other to conceal the true nature of the individual'. For the growing child, the development of a viable social persona is a vital part of adapting to, and preparing for adult life in, the external social world. 'A strong ego relates to the outside world through a flexible persona; identification with a specific persona (doctor, scholar, artist, etc.) inhibits psychological development' Thus for Jung 'the danger is that [people] become identical with their personas - the professor with his textbook, the tenor with his voice' The result could be 'the shallow, brittle, conformist kind of personality which is "all persona", with its excessive concern for "what people think" - an unreflecting state of mind 'in which people are utterly unconscious of any distinction between themselves and the world in which they live. They have little or no concept of themselves as beings distinct from what society expects of them'. The stage was set thereby for what Jung termed Enantiodromia - the emergence of the repressed individuality from beneath the persona later in life: 'the individual will either be completely smothered under an empty persona or an enantiodromia into the buried opposites will occur'

In Jungian psychology, the shadow or "shadow aspect" is a part of the unconscious mind consisting of repressed weaknesses, shortcomings, and instincts. It is one of the three most recognizable archetypes, the others being the anima and animus and the persona. "Everyone carries a shadow," Jung wrote, "and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is." It may be (in part) one's link to more primitive animal instincts, which are superseded during early childhood by the conscious mind. According to Jung, the shadow, in being instinctive and irrational, is prone to projection: turning a personal inferiority into a perceived moral deficiency in someone else. Jung writes that if these projections are unrecognized "The projection-making factor (the Shadow archetype) then has a free hand and can realize its object--if it has one--or bring about some other situation characteristic of its power." These projections insulate and cripple individuals by forming an ever thicker fog of illusion between the ego and the real world. From one perspective, 'the shadow...is roughly equivalent to the whole of the Freudian unconscious'; and Jung himself considered that 'the result of the Freudian method of elucidation is a minute elaboration of man's shadow-side unexampled in any previous age'. Jung also believed that "in spite of its function as a reservoir for human darkness—or perhaps because of this—the shadow is the seat of creativity."; so that for some, it may be, 'the dark side of his being, his sinister shadow...represents the true spirit of life as against the arid scholar'.

The Trickster or Clown, is an example of a Jungian archetype. In modern literature the trickster survives as a character archetype, not necessarily supernatural or divine, sometimes no more than a stock character. In mythology, and in the study of folklore and religion, a trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. It is suggested by Hansen (2001) that the term "Trickster" was probably first used in this context by Daniel G. Brinton in 1885. In later folklore, the trickster/clown is incarnated as a clever, mischievous man or creature, who tries to survive the dangers and challenges of the world using trickery and deceit as a defense. He also is known for entertaining people as a clown does. For example many typical fairy tales have the King who wants to find the best groom for his daughter by ordering several trials. No brave and valiant prince or knight manages to win them, until a poor and simple peasant comes. With the help of his wits and cleverness, instead of fighting, he evades or fools monsters and villains and dangers with unorthodox manners. Therefore the most unlikely candidate passes the trials and receives the reward. The trickster is an enduring archetype that crosses many cultures and appears in a wide variety of popular media.

The Divine Child archetype, is an important Jungian archetype in Jungian psychology, first suggested by Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung. Recently, author Caroline Myss suggested Child, amongst four the Survival Archetypes (Victim, Prostitute, and Saboteur), present in all of us. It ranges from "childish to childlike longing for the innocent, regardless of age", as mentioned in her work, Sacred Contracts, which talk of the presence many aspects of the Child archetype, ranging from the Wounded Child, Abandoned or Orphan Child, Dependent Child, Magical/Innocent Child, Nature Child, to the Divine Child and Eternal Child Jung placed 'the child (including the child hero)' in a list of archetypes incorporating 'the chief among them...like milestones of the individuation process'. Jungians exploring the hero myth have noted that 'over and over again one hears a tale describing the hero's miraculous but humble birth', and have considered that '"it represents our efforts to deal with the problem of growing up, aided by the illusion of an eternal fiction"'. Thus for Jung, '"the child is potential future"', with the archetype 'symbolizing the whole personality in its development from primordial unconsciousness to ego consciousness to self'. Others have warned however of the dangers posed to the parents by 'the "archetype of the Divine Child"...an emotional pull toward imagining an extraordinary potential contained in the infant'. Where this becomes too strong, 'the child is co-opted into an arrangement whereby he or she is to provide the parents with a certain magic...the Divine Child'.

The growing child 'caught up in the complex [as] adult believes that she or he is especially wonderful, as wonderful as an idealized child...unable to see the problems with feeling like the king - superior, special, or unique'. Even where impacting less acutely, the archetype may produce 'a man who remains too long in adolescent psychology, generally associated with a strong unconscious attachment to the mother (actual or symbolic). Positive traits are spontaneity and openness to change'; negative, the emergence of a 'superficially entrancing but basically immature child-man who is incapable of commitment ...an identification with the Divine Child, Mama's darling'. His 'female counterpart is the puella, an "eternal girl" with a corresponding attachment to the father-world'.

Autism

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Autism may be a symptom of several different biological entities which merely present as a similar behavioral complex in early child development. As we currently refer to the social, behavioral and language abnormalities as autism, a more accurate diagnosis for most children with this disorder would be autoimmune or dysimmune encephalopathy. Before parents can make the right decisions regarding their child's care, a good diagnosis is critical.

Researchers at Johnson & Johnson have found a very toxic compound in the urine of children with autism - dermorphin. Dermorphin is only found one other place in nature - the poison of the Amazonian Poison Dart Frog! It is 10 million times more potent and toxic than morphine (Alan Friedman, PhD at J&J). Other researchers have confirmed it is essentially always present in children with autism that receive even tiny amounts of casein or gluten.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

"The causes of autism can be either postnatal (after birth) or congenital (during pregnancy). In Traditional Chinese Medical theory, the "Kidney" is the congenital organ, while "Spleen" is the essential postnatal organ function. Based on this theory, the postnatal autistic condition is mostly caused by the child's impaired digestion system, which is the problem of the Spleen (and/or the Stomach) that prevents the body from absorbing nutrients such as Vitamin B6 and other elements needed for brain development and maintenance. The impaired Spleen and Stomach also cause an impaired immune system".

Traditional Chinese Medicine theory says, "Brain is the ocean of Marrow; Kidneys governs and produces the Marrow." It considers that the Kidneys dominate congenital situations. According to Chinese theory, the congenital Autism might be traced to parents' Kidney function problem, which could be the mother's, or sometimes even the father's. The Chinese doctors said that, when the mother has "weak" Kidney (this condition will not be detected or considered as a problem in terms of Western Medicine) during her pregnancy, her system is not absorbing Vitamin B6 properly. The lack of Vitamin B6 and other vital elements interrupted structural and functional development of the brain. As a result, this child would be born with brain function disorder.

Researchers who are studying autism are reaching a similar conclusion as the Chinese doctors, and are improving the autistic child's digestive system and immune system. By doing so they are significantly improving the symptoms of autism.

Researchers are finding that many children with autism with alternative diets (casein and gluten free) and nutritional supplementation dramatically improve. Many of the symptoms have been reduced by as much as 90%.

***Please Note: In Traditional Chinese Medicine the term "organs" are not the organs Western anatomical science refers to. Instead they are "functional" organs. For example the "spleen function" is quite different than the anatomical spleen in Western Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine views the human body system as whole. All "functional organs" interact and influence each other.***

Western Medical Theory

The theory that gluten-free/casein-free diets can help young children with autism comes from studies suggesting that some cases of autistic behavior result from allergies or intolerances to the proteins in milk (casein) and found in wheat (gluten, also in other grains). Limited research does show that some children with autism can't break down the proteins completely. Instead, fragments of them (peptides) get into the bloodstream and the central nervous system before eventually being eliminated in the urine. Several groups of researchers have identified these peptides in urine samples from children with autism. Some of the peptides are quite similar to morphine and, in theory, may be the agents that cause autistic behavior.

Dr Jeff Bradstreet has shed some amazing light on autism. In trying to find ways to help his own child, he has open doors that can help you. His website is http://www.gnd.org/autism/overview.htm

Autism, why more boys than girls?

by Mike Kohloff www.55fix.com

Fact: Autistic boys far outnumber Autistic girls, by about 4 to 1.

This is often noted, but rarely explained as to "WHY?"

This is a tremendous clue as to the true cause of Autism & therefore must be passed over & generally ignored by Big Medicine & the Big Media which is strongly influenced by Drug advertising money. The next time you watch the evening news, please count the number of PharmaKorp ads. Therefore you should not expect to receive the truth about any heavy advertiser on TV, or for that matter, in Medical Journals either.

Knowing the mechanics of the damage of Autism points a big finger at the cause. What is the difference between girls & boys? (Don't get cute, I'm talking about the Bio-chemistry difference.)

Estrogen is itself a powerful antioxidant, neuro protector, & immune system enhancement. Infant girls also have higher glutathione levels, a powerful antioxidant & immune enhancer. Boys lack one & have less of the other. That's the main Biochemical difference between boys & girls. Who said females were the weaker sex?

Therefore, the cause of Autism is likely to be connected to oxidative stress (free radical damage by a powerful oxidant), something which damages brain tissue, something which challenges the immune system, uses up large amounts of glutathione, or perhaps an active virus or bacterial infection. Perhaps all the above.

Injection of a vaccine with Squalene, antifreeze, mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum, a live virus or two, & other immune system stressors (adjuvants) would be very effective at producing all the above. So it's not just the mercury.

Now a push is underway to dismiss the gender factor by explaining it away as better or different reporting, & that girls have close to the same Autism rates as boys but just "display Autism less obviously than boys" & other misrepresentations (hogwash).

But it is critical that the cause of Autism must be believed to be some vague general pollution, parental neglect, or Genetics. That way nobody has to pay $3 million to care for every child with Autism for the rest of their lives. I estimate over 3 million Autistic kids in North America & Europe alone (& increasing yearly) for a total of about 10 Trillion Dollars. The Goldman-Sachs & Bank bailout was only 700 Billion. We're beginning to talk about some serious money, people.

Pop Quiz: What's another word for Ten Trillion Dollars?

Answer: Motive.

People have been murdered for the spare cash in their wallets. What might a group of rich, powerful, & politically connected Corporations & their executives do to avoid losing Ten Trillion Dollars?

That does not include attorney fees, court fees, pain & suffering, additional punitive damages, the "perp walk," or prison time in a small cell with Ice Pick Johnson or the social director for the local chapter of the Aryan Nation. All of that is powerful motivation to lie, cover up, bribe politicians, fund slanted & fraudulent medical studies to exonerate vaccines, & delay & stall so the guilty can enjoy their lives in freedom & luxury till their personal clocks run out.

And they are not in it alone. The school districts that required vaccinations, the Doctors that gave them, the Military that ordered them (Gulf War Syndrome), the State & Federal Governments that approved them are all guilty as well. And to stop the vaccinations could be seen as an admission that something is wrong with them. So the damage goes on.

The deep pockets on the expensive pants covering so many rich & powerful butts must be protected at all costs. The lives of the children of the insignificant are of no consequence. The recent Banking & Mortgage fraud is small change in comparison. That was just about stealing money. Autism is about stealing lives. The lives of our innocent & helpless children.

Reference: Edward J. Massaro - 1997 - 1111 pages - Preview A large group of metals induce oxidative injuries by inhibiting anti-oxidant activities; the major mechanisms are depletion of cellular glutathione and inhibition of glutathione related enzymes. These metals include cadmium, mercury.

Angel Names and Meanings

by Angels and Ghosts.

Angels have been a fascination throught history! Found in every major religion and revered for centuries, these messengers have played a role in life's major transitions. Angels have been associated with every season, human virtue, day of the week. There names are many and their connections are even greater. Below is an extensive list of angels by name and how they are most often thought about.

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
Abasdarhon	Angel of the fifth hour of the night.
Abraxos	Ancient name attributed to an angel.
Adnachiel	Angel who rules November.
Adonael	An archangel.
Adonai	One of seven angels of the presence, or elohim; creator.
Aeshma	Persian archangel.
Af	Angel of light.
Agla	Angel who saved Lot and his family.
Akriel	Angel who aids those with infertility.
Amitiel	Angel of truth.
Amriel	Angel of the month of May.
Anael	Angel influencing love, passion and sexuality.
Anapiel	Angel whose name means “branch of God.”
Anahel	Angel who rules the third heaven.
Anpiel	Angel who protects birds.
Ansiel	Name of an angel known as “the constrainer.”
Arael	Variation of Uriel; prince over the people.
Araqiel	Angel with dominion over the earth.
Araton	One of seven ruling angels over the provinces of heaven.
Ariel	“Lion of God;” angel of protection.
Armisael	Angel of the womb.
Asariel	“Whom God has bound;” rules the moon.
Asroilu	Guardian angel of the seventh heaven.
Astanphaeus	One of the seven angels of the presence; third gate guardian.
Asteraoth	Name of an angel who thwarts power.
Atrugiel	Great prince of the seventh heaven.
Ayil	Angel of the zodiac sign Sagittarius.
Azbogah	Name of the high ranking angel of judgment.
Azrael	Archangel of death.
Azriel	Name for the angel of destruction.
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Balthioul	Angel with the power to thwart distress.
Baradiel	Angel of hail.
Barakiel	Angel of lightning.
Barrattiel	Angel of support.
Barbiel	Angel of October.
Bariel	Ruling angel of the eleventh hour of the day.
Barman	Angel of intelligence.
Barquiel	Ruling angel of the seventh hour of the day.
Baruchiel	Angel with power over strife.
Bath Kol	Female angel of divine prophecy.
Bazazath	Archangel of the second heaven.
Bethor	One of seven ruling angels of the province of heaven.
Briathos	Name of an angel who thwarts demons.
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Cahethal	Seraphim angel over agriculture.
Camael	Angel name that means “he who sees God;” chief angel of powers.
Cassiel	Angel of Saturn.
Cerviel	Angel ruler of the principalities.
Chamuel	Archangel whose name means “he who seeks God.”
Chayyliel	Angel whose name means “army;” a powerful angel.
Cochabiel	Angel prince who stands before God.
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Dabriel	Angel of the first heaven who rules over Monday.
Dagiel	Angel who has dominion over fish.
Dalquiel	Angel prince of the third heaven.
Damabiath	Angel of naval construction.
Dardariel	Ruling angel of the eleventh hour.
Diniel	Angel who protects infants.
Domiel	Angel who guards the sixth hall of the seventh heaven.
Dubbiel	Guardian angel of Persia; name means “bear
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Duma	Angel prince of dreams.
Dumah	Angel of silence.
Eae	Angel who thwarts demons.
Eiael	Angel with dominion over the occult sciences.
Elyon	Ministering angel who brought the plague of hail upon Egypt.
Emmanuel	Angel whose name means “God with us.”
Erathaol	One of seven great archon angels.
Eremiel	Great angel who presides over the Abyss and Hades.
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Gabriel	Archangel whose name means “man or hero of God.”
Gadriel	Angel who rules the fifth heaven.
Galgaliel	Prince angel of the sun, like Raphael.
Galizur	Great angel who rules the second heaven.
Gamaliel	Angel who takes the elect unto heaven.
Gazardiel	Angel who supervises the east.
Geburatiel	Angel prince who guards the seventh heaven.
Guriel	Angel of the zodiac sign of Leo.
Gzrel	Angel who revokes any evil decree against another in heaven.
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Hadraniel	Angel who stands at the second gate in heaven; “majesty of God.”
Hadriel	Guardian angel of the gates of the east wind.
Hagith	One of the seven ruling angels of the provinces of heaven.
Halaliel	Archangel known as “the lord of karma.”
Hamaliel	Angel who rules the order of virtues.
Hamon	A great, honored, beautiful prince angel in heaven.
Haniel	An archangel who guards the tree of life.
Heman	Angel leader of the heavenly choir, whose name means “trust.”
Hermesiel	Angel who leads one of the heavenly choirs.
Hofniel	Ruling angel of the bene elohim; name means “fighter of God.”
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Iaoel	An angel of the lord; angel of visions.
Iaoth	Archangel who has power to thwart demons.
Leo	An angel who thwarts demons.
Iofiel	Archangel whose name means “beauty of God.”
Israfil	Islamic angel whose name means “the burning one.”
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Jael	Cherub who guards the ark of the covenant.
Jahoel	One of the angels of the presence and chief of the seraphim.
Jaoel	Guardian angel who lives in the seventh heaven.
Jeduthun	Angel whose name means “master of howling” or chanting to God.
Jefischa	Ruling angel of the fourth hour of the night.
Jehudiel	Archangel who rules the movements of the celestial spheres.
Jeremiel	Archangel whose name means “mercy of God.”
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Kabshiel	Angel of grace and favor.
Kafziel	Archangel who rules the planet Saturn.
Kakabel	Angel who rules over stars and constellations.
Kalaziel	Angel who has the power to thwart demons of disease.
Karael	Angel who has the power to thwart demons.
Kemuel	Archon angel and chief of the seraphim.
Kerubiel	Prince angel of the cherubim.
Kokabiel	Prince angel of the stars.
Kutiel	Angel of water and the use of diving rods.
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Labbiel	Angel whose name was changed to Raphael.
Lahabiel	Angel who protects against evil spirits.
Lamechial	Angel who thwarts deception.
Lassuarium	Angel who rules the tenth hour of the night.
Laylah	Angel who oversees and protects childbirth.
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Machidiel	Angel governing the zodiac sign of Aries and the month of March.
Marmaroth	Angel who has power to thwart fate.
Mendrion	Angel who rules the seventh hour of the night.
Metatron	One of the greatest archangels, second only to God.
Michael	Great archangel whose name means “who is as God.”
Mihr	Angel of divine mercy; angel that governs September.
Miniel	Angel invoked to induce love.
Mitatron	An angel of the third heaven.
Morael	Angel of awe that rules the months of August September.
Moroni	Brought messages to Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism.
Muriel	Angel who rules the dominions and the month of June.
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Naaririel	Great prince angel of the seventh heaven.
Nahaliel	Angel who governs running streams; “valley of God.”
Nanael	Angel who governs the sciences, and philosophy.
Narcariel	Angel that rules the eighth hour of the night.
Nasargiel	Good angel with a lion head that rules hell.
Nathanael	Angel ruling over hidden things, fire and vengeance.
Naya’il	Angel of testing.
Nelchael	Angel of the schemhamphorae.
Nuriel	Angel of spellbinding power and of hail storms.
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Och	One ruling angel of the provinces of heaven.
Omael	Angel of chemistry and species perpetuation.
Onoel	Name of an archon angel…
Ophaniel	Prince angel over the ophanim.
Ophiel	One ruling angel of the provinces of heaven and Mercury.
Oriel	Ruling angel of the tenth hour of the day.
Orifiel	Archangel over thrones, and the second hour of the day.
Orphamiel	Angel known as the “great finger of the Father.”
Osmadiel	Ruling angel of the eighth hour of the day.
Ouriel	Archangel who commands demons.
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Pamyel	Ruling angel of the ninth hour of night.
Pathiel	Angel whose name means “opener of God.”
Peliel	Angel who rules the virtues.
Peniel	Angel who rules Friday and resides in the third heaven.
Pesagniyah	Angel who ushers prayers of grief to heaven.
Phaleg	One of the seven ruling angels of the provinces of heaven.
Phanuel	Archangel who is an interpreter of revelations.
Phounebiel	Disease thwarting angel.
Phul	One of the seven ruling angels of the provinces of heaven.
Pravuil	An archangel who keeps all the records of heaven.
Pronoia	An archon angel who helped make mankind.
Purah	Angel of forgetfulness.
Puriel	Angel whose name means “the fire of God;” angel of punishment.
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Qaspiel	Angel who rules the moon.
Quabriel	Ruling angel of the ninth hour of the day.
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Rachiel	Ophanim angel who rules Venus and governs sexuality.
Rachmiel	Angel of mercy whose name also means the same.
Radueriel	Angel who can create other angels and oversees archives.
Raguel	Angel who watches over the behavior of angels; “friend of God.”
Rahab	Angel of death, destruction, but also the sea.
Rahatiel	Angel prince of the constellations; name means “to run.”
Rahmiel	Angel of mercy and love.
Ramiel	Angel who oversees visions and souls during the day of judgment.
Raphael	Great archangel whose name means “the shining one who heals.”
Rathanael	Angel of the third heaven and thwarter of demons.
Raziel	Angel chief over the thrones, guarding the secrets of the universe.
Remiel	Angel who leads souls to judgment; name means “mercy of God.”
Rikbiel	Angel who oversees the divine chariot; chief of wheels.
Rizoel	Angel with power to thwart demons.
Rogziel	Angel of punishment whose name means “the wrath of God.”
Ruman	Angel who takes account of evil men’s deeds while in hell.
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Sabaoth	Archon angel of the presence.
Sabathiel	Angel or intelligence who communicates divine light.
Sablo	Angel of graciousness and protection.
Sabrael	Archangel who guards the first heaven.
Sabrathan	Ruling angel of the first hour of the night.
Sachiel	Ruling angel of Jupiter whose name means “covering of God.”
Sagnessagiel	Angel who guards the fourth hall of the seventh heaven.
Sahaqiel	Angel prince of the fourth heaven.
Salathiel	Rescuing angel of Adam and Eve.
Samkiel	Angel of destruction and purifier of souls from sheol.
Samuel	Fruling angel of the first hour of the day.
Sandalphon	Giant angel whose name means “co Brother” (of Metratron).
Saniel	Ruling angel of the sixth hour of the day.
Sarakiel	Angel who rules the ministering angels.
Sarandiel	Ruling angel of the twelfth hour of the night.
Satqiel	Angel prince of the fifth heaven.
Seraphiel	Chief angel of the seraphim angels.
Shamsiel	Angel whose name means “light of day.”
Shepherd	Angel of repentance.
Shoftiel	Angel whose name means “the judge of God.”
Sidqiel	Angel prince of the ophanim; ruler of Venus.
Sidriel	Angel prince of the first heaven.
Simiel	Archangel.
Sizouze	Angel of prayer.
Sophia	Angel whose name means “wisdom.”
Soqedhozi	Angel who weighs the merits of of men before God.
Sorath	Angel who is the spirit of the sun.
Sorush	Angel who punishes souls on judgment day.
Soterasiel	Angel whose name means “who stirs up the fire of God.”
Sraosha	Angel who sets the world in motion.
Suriel	Angel of healing whose name means “God’s command.”
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Tagas	Governing angel of singing angels.
Tartys	Ruling angel of the second hour of the night.
Tatrasiel	Great angelic prince.
Temeluch	Angel caretaker who protects newborn babies and children.
Temperance	Angel of the elixir of life.
Theliel	Angel prince of love.
Tubiel	Angel of summer.
Tzadkiel	Angel of justice and guardian of the gates of the east wind.
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Ubaviel	Angel of the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
Umabel	Angel of physics and astronomy.
Uriel	Great archangel whose name means “God is my light.”
Usiel	An angel who stands before the throne of God.
Uzziel	Cherubim angel whose name means “strength of God.”
Varhmiel	Ruling angel of the fourth hour of the day.
Vequaniel	Ruling angel of the third hour of the day.
Verchiel	Ruling angel of the month of July and of the zodiac sign Leo.
Vretiel	Swift in wisdom archangel responsible for recording God’s deeds.
Xathanael	The sixth angel created by God.
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Yabbashael	An angel of the earth whose name means “the mainland.”
Yefefiah	Archangel who is the prince of the Torah.
Yehudiah	Benevolant angel of death.
Yerachmiel	An archangel who rules earth.
Yeshamiel	Angel who rules the zodiac sign of Libra.
Yofiel	Angel prince of the Torah commanding 53 legions of angels.
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Zaapiel	Angel punisher of wicked souls.
Zaazenach	Ruling angel of the sixth hour of the night.
Zabkiel	Angel who rules over the thrones.
Zachariel	Angel governor of Jupiter.
Zachriel	Angel who governs memories.
Zadkeil	Archangel who rules heaven and stands in the presence of God.
Zagzagel	Angel prince of the Torah and of wisdom.
Zakzakiel	Angel of the seventh heaven who records good deeds.
Zaphiel	Angel ruler of the cherubim.
Zaphkiel	Archangel whose name means “knowledge of God.”
Zarall	Cherub angel who guards the ark of the covenant.
Zazriel	Angel whose name means “strength of God.”
Zehanpuryu	High ranking angel whose name means “one who sets free.”
Zerachiel	Angel of the month of July and the sun.
Zophiel	Angel whose name means “God’s spy.”
Zuriel	Angel ruler of the principalities whose name means “my rock is God.”
This list was compiled from our friend at Angels and Ghosts.
Http://www.angelsghosts.com/angel_names